South Brunswick Muslims Spread Charity for Ramadan

As Muslims throughout the world celebrate the , some South Brunswick families are donating their time and resources to help spread charity and kindness throughout the community in observance of the holiday.

A group of kids and parents got together on Tuesday in South Brunswick making lunches to donate to the Trenton Area Soup Kitchen, with the goal of donating over 1,000 lunches to the less fortunate.

"During Ramadan one of the traditions we have is to give to charity," said resident Atiya Aftab. "We all have a heightened sense of what's going on in the news with people starving and that causes us all to feel more compassion. We started this tradition last year. The kids sympathized with others who are less fortunate and they wanted to get together with their friends and do something good."

The tradition began for the Aftabs last year with six families and about 20 kids giving their time to help others, but this year the tradition has grown to include over 10 families coming together for a new tradition in South Brunswick.

The kids and families meet once each week, with the goal of making 250 lunches each meeting.

On a rainy Tuesday afternoon, Aftab and the kids carried huge stocks of bread, peanut butter and other assorted items, while they shared laughs putting together the lunches to be donated. Each lunch includes a peanut butter and jelly sandwich, a fruit snack, drink and dessert. The kids also decorate the paper lunch bags.

"My eldest child said to me 'Mom, I wish we could to this more than once a week,' and for the kids they enjoy getting together, doing something good, and literally giving back," Aftab said. "We're blessed with so much living here in South Brunswick, but when we drive into Trenton the kids realize that not everyone lives like us here, so I hope it gives them a sense of compassion and humility."

As Muslims also fast from dawn to sunset during Ramadan, the act of making food to give to the hungry while fasting also leaves an impact on the kids.

"To make a sandwich for someone else while you're fasting is compelling and becomes more special for the children fasting," Aftab said. "It's a great lesson to learn, because they know that they can't eat, but they also know that at the end of the day they will get to eat. But not everyone knows where their next meal is coming from."

For the kids, making lunches for others while fasting isn't much of a challenge.

"It can be a little hard, but when you're making lunches with your friends you get distracted," said Mona Khan, an incoming freshman at South Brunswick High School. "We know we're not supposed to eat so we really don't think about it."

For others, the act of giving back represents to them what Ramadan is all about.

"You really feel good doing this and know you're benefiting others," said Zahrah Khan, an incoming senior at South Brunswick High School. "Ramadan is about giving back and being generous. It's about selflessness."

Aftab said she hopes the lessons passed to the kids during this new Ramadan tradition is one they will carry with them into adulthood.

"I hope they grow to realize that life is not just what happens within the four walls of your home," she said. "There are people suffering everywhere, and your life just isn't worth much if you have so much and you're not giving back to those who don't."